Elongate barrier system for use with lawn mower decks

ABSTRACT

One or more elongate barriers are provided that are movably (in one configuration pivotably) mounted proximate the outside of a grass cutting deck. When one of the barriers encounters a foreign object in a certain manner, the barrier moves towards its “tripped” position, thus causing a corresponding change to the operating characteristic of the lawn mover, be it a termination of the cutting process, the mower drive process, or both. The barriers can be used with electric or mechanical control elements.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] The present application claims the full benefit and priority ofpending U.S. provisional patent application serial No. 60/373,523, filedApr. 18, 2002, entitled “Elongate Barrier System for Use with Lawn MowerDecks”. The entire contents of this provisional patent application areincorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present invention relates generally to lawn mowers, andparticularly relates to barriers configured to be put in front of, tothe rear of, or similarly adjacent to a lawn mower cutting deck, andinteraction of said barriers with cutting or other operating processesof the lawn mower through electric or mechanical means.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Lawn mowers are well known in the art. Improvements to same arealways in demand, while at the same time understanding that costsprovide practical limitations.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The present invention relates to barriers that provide sensingand response to objects too close to a grass cutting deck or anotherportion of the lawn cutting apparatus.

[0005] Generally described, the present invention relates to a controlapparatus for use with a lawn mower for cutting grass or othervegetation, the lawn mower configured for traveling in a forward and arearward direction and including a cutting blade and a cutting bladehousing partially enclosing the cutting blade, the cutting blade havingcontrols for enabling and disabling cutting, the control apparatuscomprising a front barrier member movably attached to the cutting bladehousing and configured to move from a set to a tripped position uponcontact with an external object when the lawn mower is traveling in theforward direction, a rear barrier member movably attached to the cuttingblade housing and configured to move from a set to a tripped positionupon contact with an external object when the lawn mower is traveling inthe rearward direction, a front barrier linkage having first and secondends, the first end being operably attached to the front barrier member,a rear barrier linkage having first and second ends, the first end beingoperably attached to the rear barrier member, a barrier synchronizingmember operably associated with the front and rear barriers such thatthe front and rear barrier members move together as a barriercombination such that when the front barrier member moves from the setto the tripped position, the rear barrier member moves from the set tothe tripped position, and the barrier synchronizing member beingoperably assocated with the controls for the cutting member such thatmovement of the front and rear barrier members from their the setpositions to their the tripped positions causes the cutting member to bedisabled. In an alternate version a drive wheel can be disabled.

[0006] The present invention also is directed towards a supplementaloverriding control apparatus for use with a lawn mower for cutting grassor other vegetation, the lawn mower including an automatic disablingsystem including a first control having an engaged and a disengagedposition for respectively engaging and disengaging the operatingfunction, the first control being biased towards the disengaged positionby a first control bias member, and a second control for selectivelymaintaining the first control in the engaged position against the firstcontrol bias member, the supplemental overriding control devicecomprising, a barrier member being movably attached relative to the lawnmower from a set position to a tripped position, the movement configuredto be caused upon contact between the barrier member and a foreignobject external and separate from the lawn mower while the lawn mower ismoving, and a linkage device operably associate with both the barriermember and the second control, the linkage device configured to overridethe second control upon movement of the barrier member from the setposition to the tripped position, such that the second control isoverridden and the second control releases the first control from theset position, allowing the first control bias member to cause the firstcontrol to move from the engaged position to the disengaged position.

[0007] The invention is also directed towards a method for controlling alawn mower, the lawn mower including a wheel drive control forcontrolling the operation of a drive wheel of the lawn mower, the lawnmower also including a cutting blade drive control for controlling theoperation of a cutting blade of the lawn mower, the lawn mower alsoincluding an external object contacting device which upon contact withan external object causes the wheel drive to be disabled, the lawn moweralso including a button for operating a control itself operablyassociated with the wheel drive control, the method comprising the stepsof A) operating the lawn mower such that the external object contactingdevice contacts an external object and causes the wheel drive to bedisabled, B) disengaging the wheel drive control, C) pushing and holdingthe button, and D) engaging the wheel drive control while the button isheld so that the lawn mower may be operated to move to a differentlocation such that the external object is not in contact with theexternal object contacting device.

[0008] The present invention is also directed towards a method forcontrolling a lawn mower, the lawn mower including a wheel drive controlfor controlling the operation of a drive wheel of the lawn mower, thelawn mower also including a cutting blade drive control for controllingthe operation of a cutting blade of the lawn mower, the lawn mower alsoincluding an external object contacting device which upon contact withan external object causes the wheel drive and the cutting drive to bedisabled, the method comprising the steps of A) operating the lawn mowersuch that the external object contacting device contacts an externalobject and causes the wheel drive and the cutting blade drive to bedisabled, B) disengaging the wheel drive control, C) disengaging thecutting blade drive control., D) engaging the wheel drive control whilethe cutting blade drive control is disengaged so that the lawn mower maybe operated to move to a different location such that the externalobject is not in contact with the external object contacting device, andE) engaging the cutting blade drive control.

[0009] Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration.

[0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which provides for the stopping of ablade when a foreign object is contacted.

[0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which provides for the stopping of anengine when a foreign object is contacted.

[0012] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which provides for the stopping of ablade and engine when a foreign object is contacted.

[0013] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes trippable barriers.

[0014] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes trippable barrierswhich provides for the stopping of a blade and engine when a foreignobject is contacted.

[0015] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes linked trippablebarriers which provides for the stopping of a blade and engine when aforeign object is contacted by either barrier.

[0016] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes an ABS system which canbe overridden.

[0017] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes an ABS system which canbe overridden when a foreign object is detected or contacted.

[0018] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes an ABS system which canbe overridden when a foreign object is detected or contacted by abarrier member.

[0019] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes an ABS system which canbe overridden when a foreign object is detected or contacted by abarrier member, such overriding causing the stoppage of a cutting blade.

[0020] It is a further object of the present invention to provide animproved lawn mower configuration which includes a system which can beoverridden when a foreign object is detected or contacted by a barriermember, such overriding causing the stoppage of a drive wheel.

[0021] Other objects, features, and advantages of the present inventionwill become apparent upon reading the following detailed description ofthe preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction withthe drawing and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022]FIG. 1 shows an overall view of a grass cutting vehicle 10. Thusfigure shows the vehicle with an exemplary engine or motor 11. Theinvention contemplates use of any suitable motor 11, including aninternal combustion engine or a battery/electric motor combination. Acutting blade 14 is partially enclosed by a cutting deck 15.

[0023]FIG. 2 is a pictorial view of a portion of the apparatus 10,viewed from the left and front of the vehicle. This view illustrates thefront barrier 30F, and the rear barrier 30R, both positioned in apivoting relationship relative to the cutting deck 15. On the cuttingdeck 15 are located two cutting blade driving electric motors 16. A rearwheel 12 is also shown. The body of the ABS System 60 is shown generallyin dotted line to illustrate its general location.

[0024]FIG. 3 is a view from the left side of the vehicle (with thevehicle rear to the viewer's left, and the front to the viewer's right),illustrating the location of the front barrier 30F, which extends alongthe front of the cutting deck 15. The cutting blade engagement lever 40is shown in its “down” position (the front barrier 30F is shown“tripped”). It should be understood that the blade engagement levermight also be positioned at a location similar to that shown in dottedline as 40′, by pivoting it. This pivoting action is provided as knownin the art by the operator bending forwardly at the waist, grasping thehandle at the free end of the lever 40, and pulling it rearwardly andupwardly. The position 40 could be considered the “down” (or “tripped”)position, whereas position 40′ could be considered the “up” (or “set”)position.

[0025]FIG. 4 is a more detailed view of a right section of the frontbarrier 30F, shown in solid line in its “set” position. As may be seen,the lower edge is spaced out from the cutting deck. A pivot point isprovided by suitable fasteners as known in the art (a hex head machinescrew is shown). In fact, two pivot points per front barrier are usedunder the present invention, although other configurations may be usedin the art without departing from the present invention. These pivotpoints allow the front barrier 30F to also move to a “tripped” position,which is shown in dotted line as 30F′. As may be seen, the lower edge ofthe front barrier is closer to the front of the cutting deck when in thetripped position.

[0026]FIG. 5 shows the cutting blade engagement lever 40 is in its “up”or “latched” position. As may be understood, the pivoting latch member62 has latched the latch portion of the cutting blade engagement lever40 in place. The cutting blade return spring 41 (a.k.a. First Spring 41)is stretched.

[0027]FIG. 6 shows the configuration is in its “tripped” position; thebell crank 34 has rotated relatively clockwise from the viewer'sstandpoint, and the cutting blade engagement lever 40 has pivoted downto its “down” position. It should be understood that in this positionboth barriers are each in their “tripped” positions.

[0028]FIG. 7 is another view showing the overall ABS configuration inits “tripped”, position. Note the rear barrier 30R is in its “tripped”position, with rod 31R attached thereto.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0029] The present invention now will be described more fullyhereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in whichpreferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may,however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construedas limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, theseembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to thoseskilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.

[0030] General Description

[0031] Generally described, the invention relates to the use of one ormore elongate barriers that are movably (in one configuration pivotably)mounted proximate the outside of a grass cutting deck. When one of thebarriers encounters a foreign object in a certain manner, the barriermoves towards its “tripped” position, thus causing a correspondingchange to the operating characteristics of the lawn mover, be it atermination of the cutting process, the mower drive process, or both.

[0032] Element List

[0033] The following elements are used for or in connection with theinvention:

[0034] Lawn mower 10

[0035] Motor 11

[0036] Wheels 13

[0037] Cutting blade 14

[0038] Cutting deck 15 (a.k.a blade housing, cutter blade housing,cutter housing, cutting blade housing)

[0039] Blade Driving Electric Motors 16

[0040] Front barrier 30F

[0041] Rear barrier 30R

[0042] Front shield linkage 31F

[0043] Rear shield linkage 31R

[0044] Bell Crank 34

[0045] Latch disengagement spring 35 (a.k.a., Third Spring 35)

[0046] Cutting blade engagement lever 40

[0047] Cutting Blade return spring 41 (a.k.a. First Spring 41)

[0048] ABS system 60

[0049] ABS frame 61

[0050] Pivoting latch member 62

[0051] Roller latch 63

[0052] Blade pedal 64

[0053] Latch engagement spring 66 (a.k.a., Second Spring 66)

[0054] The Blade Engagement Lever and the ABS Assembly

[0055] The present invention is used in association with a cutting bladeengagement lever 40 used in association with an ABS (Automatic BladeStop) system 60. Reference to same may be made with respect to FIGS. 5,6 and 7.

[0056] The cutting blade engagement lever 40 is pivotably movablebetween a down (blade disengaged) position, and an up (blade engaged)position. The cutting blade engagement lever 40 is biased towards thedown position as shown in FIG. 6 by use of a cutting blade return spring41 (a.k.a. First Spring 41). The ends of this tension spring 41 areattached at suitable locations to the cutting blade engagement lever 40and the frame of the cutting deck 15, respectively, such that thecutting blade engagement lever 40 is so biased towards the downposition.

[0057] The cutting blade engagement lever 40 is substantially in theform of an elongate yet bent rod member, and includes a main leverportion, a substantially straight bearing portion which extends at aright angle from one end of the main lever portion, a substantiallystraight radial portion which extends at a right angle from the bearingportion, and a substantially straight latch portion which extends at aright angle to the radial portion. The pivoting movement of the overalllever is about the longitudinal axis of the straight bearing portion, asit is a the only “captured” portion, being captured relative to the ABSframe 61 such that it can rotate about its longitudinal axis. Suchrotation causes a radial “sweeping” action of the radial portion, muchin the manner of a traditional automotive windshield wiper, such thatthe latch portion moves within the arcuate slot. As described elsewhere,a roller-type roller latch 63 is selectively placed within the arcuateslot by operation of the blade pedal 64.

[0058] A presence switch (not shown) may be used to detect the locationof the cutting blade engagement lever 40, and suitable electric controlsmay be used to facilitate engagement of electric drive motor(s) whichdrive the blade(s). However it may also be understood that an all-manualsystem could also be used in which movement of the cutting bladeengagement lever 40 causes movement of an idler pulley which causes ablade drive belt to be engaged and disengaged as known in the art toallow a motor to drive the blade(s) through the blade drive belt.

[0059] The ABS system 60 is such as one developed by Snapper, Inc., andworks in conjunction with the cutting blade engagement lever 40 andincludes an ABS frame 61, a pivoting latch member 62, a roller latch 63,a blade pedal 64 (see FIG. 1), and a latch engagement spring 66 (a.k.a.,Second Spring 64).

[0060] The ABS frame 61 is rigidly attached to the cutting deck 15. Asshown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the pivoting latch member 62 is pivotablyattached to the ABS frame 61, about pivot point PP (see FIG. 5). Rollerlatch 63 is rotatably attached to the pivoting latch member 62. Theblade pedal 64 is pivotably attached relative to the frame of thevehicle about an axis which is substantially transverse to the normalforward travel of the vehicle. A latch engagement spring 66 (a.k.a.,Second Spring 66) has its opposite ends attached to the blade pedal 64and the pivoting latch member 62.

[0061] The functions of the elements above are now discussed.

[0062] In this ABS configuration, the cutting blade engagement lever 40(see e.g., FIGS. 3, 5 and 6) is used to allow the user to manuallyselect, by pivotal movement of the lever, whether or not the cuttingblade is engaged. Typically, this is done by an operator (not shown)grasping the lever and pulling it rearward relative to the normalforward travel of the lawn mower.

[0063] If the operator engaged the cutting blade engagement lever 40 butdid not operate the blade pedal 64, and the operator then released thecutting blade engagement lever 40, it would spring back (due to spring41) to its down position. However, if the operator presses down with oneor more foot on the blade pedal 64, while the cutting blade engagementlever 40 is in its engaged (“up”) position, the intermediate existenceof the latch engagement spring 66 will cause pivoting latch member 62 topivot from the position shown in FIG. 6 to the position shown in FIG. 5.Roller latch 63 is thus positioned in the arcuate slot in the base ofthe ABS frame 61, such that the latch portion of the cutting bladeengagement lever 40 is blocked from movement back towards its “bladedisengaged” position as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7.

[0064] The rolling nature of the roller latch allows the latch portionof the cutting blade engagement lever 40 to “roll” past the roller latchto reduce wear.

[0065] Once the cutting blade engagement lever 40 is so engaged by theroller latch, the cutting blade engagement lever can be released by theoperator, and it will stay in its latched position until the blade pedal64 is released (or until such latching is overridden as describedelsewhere). Upon release of the blade pedal 64, the cutting bladeengagement lever is no longer latched, and it moves back into its downposition, thus disengaging the blade.

[0066] Cutting Deck Barriers; Linkages, Bell Crank

[0067] One feature of the invention includes the use of cutting deckbarriers 30F, 30R, which are configured to be tripped upon contacting aforeign object, thus causing disengagement of the blade, the clutchingof the engine to the drive train, shutting down of the engine, or anycombination thereof.

[0068] These elongate front and rear barriers 30F, 30R, are elongate inthat they extend around along a substantial portion of the skirt of thecutting blade deck. In the embodiment shown, for example in FIG. 2, thefront barrier 30F extends along a substantial part of the front edge ofthe cutting blade deck (to contact obstructions while going forward) andthe rear barrier 30R extends along a substantial part of the rear edgeof the cutting blade deck (to contact obstructions while goingrearward). FIG. 7 also shows the location of the rear barrier 30R.

[0069] Each barrier member is pivotably mounted relative to the cuttingdeck 15 at one or more locations. This pivot action is shown for examplein FIG. 4. In one embodiment, a pivoting connection is provided at twolocations.

[0070] The front barrier 30F is shown in, for example, FIGS. 2, 3, and4. The rear barrier 30R is shown in, for example, FIGS. 2 and 7.

[0071] Each of the barrier members 30F, 30R, is also pivotably attachedto a corresponding linkage member 31F, 31R. Linkage member 31F is shownin FIG. 6, for example and linkage member 31R is shown in FIG. 5, forexample. Each linkage member has one end attached to its correspondingbarrier member and the other end pivotably attached to a correspondingend of a bell crank 34 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). Each linkage member isattached to the barrier member via a flange that extends upwardly and ispart of the barrier member, such as shown in FIGS. 5, 6, and 7.

[0072] The bell crank 34 is substantially elongate, and is pivotallymounted about its middle relative to the cutting deck. Its “upper” endis attached to the forward end of the linkage member 31R as shown inFIG. 5, and its lower end is pivotally attached to the rearward end ofthe linkage member 31F of FIG. 6.

[0073] The bell crank 34 also provides an attachment location for oneend of a spring 66, described elsewhere.

[0074] The linkages 31F, 31R, are configured such that if the frontbarrier 30F is tripped, it rotates the bell crank 34 in a firstdirection, being generally clockwise as FIG. 6 is referenced. If therear barrier 30R is tripped, it rotates the bell crank 34 in the samefirst direction. This rotation may be thought of as towards the“tripped” position. The front and rear barriers move together in whatcould be referenced as a “barrier combination”.

[0075] Therefore it may be seen that movement of the two barrier members30F, 30R, is linked together via the use of the intermediate linkages31F, 31R and the bell crank 34; if one barrier member is tripped by anobstruction, both go to their tripped positions.

[0076] Third Spring

[0077] By use of a third spring 35 (a.k.a., the latch disengagementspring 35) the latch member 62 can be overridden from its latchedposition (FIG. 5) and moved to its unlatched position (FIG. 6), so as tounlatch the cutting blade engagement lever 40, causing the blade tostop.

[0078] This tension spring 35 has one end attached to the bell crank 34(above its pivot point as shown in FIG. 14) and the other attached tothe latch member 62. The relative strength of the latch disengagementspring 35 allows it to override the latch engagement spring 66 when thebell crank 34 is rotated from the position shown in FIG. 5 to theposition shown in FIG. 6. This overriding takes the form of unlatchingthe cutting blade engagement lever 40.

[0079] Thus it may be seen that the third spring 35, used in conjunctionwith the bell crank 34, linkages 31F, 31R and barriers 30F, 30R, allowfor the latch member 62 to be overridden even though the blade pedal isdepressed. In summary it may then be said that the tripping of either ofthe barrier members 30F, 30R, causes the overriding of the pivotinglatch member 62, and disengagement of the blade.

[0080] Overall Operation of System

[0081] Operation of the overall system will now be discussed. It willfirst be assumed that the cutting blade is not engaged.

[0082] To engage the blades, an operator pulls the lever up from theposition shown in FIG. 6 to the cutting position shown in FIG. 5. Thisengages the blade (a.k.a., “turns the blade on”). In order to be able torelease the blade engagement lever without the lever 40 springing backto its down position, the blade pedal 64 must be pressed by the operatorto keep (i.e., “latch”) the blade engagement lever 40 in place. Shouldthe operator release the blade pedal 64, the spring pressure on thelever 40 causes the lever 40 to push past the latch roller 63 of thepivoting latch member 62. The latch member moves to the position shownin FIG. 6, thus unlatching the cutting blade engagement lever 40, whichthen springs back to its “disengaged” position, thus disengaging theblade.

[0083] If either of the barriers is tripped while the blade is engaged,the bell crank 34 moves from the position shown in FIG. 5 to theposition shown in FIG. 6, thus causing third spring 35 to overridesecond spring 66, thus unlatching the blade engagement lever 40 andterminating the cutting process.

[0084] To reset the entire system to a cutting mode, any impediments tothe barriers are removed. The blade engagement lever 40 is placed intoits engaged position, and is latched in place by depression of the bladepedal. This latching pulls the barriers into their set positions (due tothe proper selection of the strength of springs 35, 66, and theconfiguration of the latching member 62 and the bell crank 34).

[0085] Therefore it may be understood that when a front or rear barrierhas been tripped, and the barriers are then in their tripped positions,both the ABS and the barrier configurations may be reset by engaging theblade with the blade engagement lever 40 and retaining the bladeengagement lever 40 in place by engaging the blade pedal 64.

[0086] It should further be understood that should the user release thebrake pedal 64 during the cutting process without the barriers beingtripped, the barriers will nonetheless tend to go to their “tripped’positions due to the effect of gravity.

[0087] Alternatives

[0088] The barriers can be on the front or the back of the deck, asshown, but they could also be on the front or back of the lawnmower. Inthe latter such situation a sheathed cable could be used to operablyconnect the more remote barriers to the ABS unit.

[0089] The cutting apparatus illustrated in the drawings is configuredto be electric, and with such an apparatus the blades could just beturned off. However, the wheels could also be stopped with or withoutthe blades stopping. However it should be understood that the inventioncould be used in conjunction with gasoline or other powered lawn mowers.

[0090] First Alternative Electrical Controller Configuration

[0091] The barrier(s) shown above could also be used in conjunction withan electric switch which activates when the barrier is tripped andremains activated until the barrier is moved back to the untrippedposition.

[0092] A controller could also be used which is linked to an “ignition”key (OFF/ON) the blade control (OFF/ON) and the drive (either the drivemotor or a clutch) and the switch noted above.

[0093] If the barrier hits a foreign object, power is shut off to thecontroller.

[0094] When power is shut off to the controller, one or more of thefollowing happens: blade is turned off, electric motor is turned off, orwheel drive clutch is turned off.

[0095] In order to get power back to the controller while the barrier isstill tripped, a push button is used to bypass the barrier circuit. Ifthis push button is pushed and power is provided to the controller whilethe blade is still engaged (or the blade control is in engaged mode)nothing happens except maybe a warning signal.

[0096] If the blade is disengaged but the drive is engaged when thebutton is pushed, depending on the preference of the manufacturer themower may or may not be able to operate in drive mode (e.g., to back offthe foreign object).

[0097] The ignition or in this case the power on/off switch will disablethe transmission and blade drive when it is turned off. If the operatortries to turn the power on/off switch on with the blade engaged or thetransmission control lever in drive, the main controller will not letanything happen.

[0098] So if the operator trips a barrier switch but wants to drive awayfrom the object, the process is to: 1. disengage the wheel drive lever;2. disengage the blade; 3. push the button down and hold it whiledriving away from the object. Depending on the preference of themanufacturer, when the operator releases the button, the operator may ormay not have to reset the key switch to continue.

[0099] Second Alternative Electrical Controller Configuration

[0100] A second alternative embodiment can include the use of acontroller which includes inputs from momentary switches which aretripped by associated barriers (no linkages or bell cranks used). Inthis situation, if a barrier is tripped, the corresponding switch causesa momentary break in power to the controller. However, this power isquickly restored to the controller due to the momentary nature of theswitch. If the mower was in a cutting mode and a wheel driving mode, thecontroller will not allow cutting or wheel driving to be restarted (evenif the mower directional control is in “drive” and the cutting controlis in the “cutting” position). In order to get back into driving andcutting modes, the controller will have to receive signals that thecutting blade control has been disengaged (cutting off) and the drivecontrol has been placed in neutral or park. Once this has beenrecognized the controller will allow driving and cutting modes to bereselected. Typically the user would then re-engage driving mode untilthe obstacle is cleared, and then cutting could be restarted.

[0101] Conclusion

[0102] While the present invention in its various aspects has beendescribed in detail with regard to preferred embodiments thereof, itshould be understood that variations, modifications and enhancements canbe made to the disclosed apparatus and procedures without departing fromthe spirit and scope of the present invention as defined in the appendedclaims.

That which is claimed:
 1. A control apparatus for use with a lawn mowerfor cutting grass or other vegetation, said lawn mower configured fortraveling in a forward and a rearward direction and including a cuttingblade and a cutting blade housing partially enclosing said cuttingblade, said cutting blade having controls for enabling and disablingcutting, said control apparatus comprising: a front barrier membermovably attached to said cutting blade housing and configured to movefrom a set to a tripped position upon contact with an external objectwhen said lawn mower is traveling in said forward direction; a rearbarrier member movably attached to said cutting blade housing andconfigured to move from a set to a tripped position upon contact with anexternal object when said lawn mower is traveling in said rearwarddirection; a front barrier linkage having first and second ends, saidfirst end being operably attached to said front barrier member; a rearbarrier linkage having first and second ends, said first end beingoperably attached to said rear barrier member; a barrier synchronizingmember operably associated with said front and rear barriers such thatsaid front and rear barrier members move together as a barriercombination such that when said front barrier member moves from said setto said tripped position, said rear barrier member moves from said setto said tripped position; and said barrier synchronizing member beingoperably assocated with said controls for said cutting member such thatmovement of said front and rear barrier members from their said setpositions to their said tripped positions causes said cutting member tobe disabled.
 2. The control apparatus as claimed in claim 1, whereinsaid barrier synchronizing member is a link being linked to both saidfront and rear barrier linkages such that movement of said front barriermember causes movement of said first linkage member which causesmovement of said link which causes movement of said rear barrier memberwhich causes movement of said rear barrier member.
 3. A controlapparatus for use with a lawn mower for cutting grass or othervegetation, said lawn mower configured for traveling in a forward and arearward direction by use of a drive wheel driven by a drive motor, saidlawn mowever also including a cutting blade and a cutting blade housingpartially enclosing said cutting blade, said cutting blade havingcontrols for enabling and disabling cutting, said control apparatuscomprising: a front barrier member movably attached to said cuttingblade housing and configured to move from a set to a tripped positionupon contact with an external object when said lawn mower is travelingin said forward direction; a rear barrier member movably attached tosaid cutting blade housing and configured to move from a set to atripped position upon contact with an external object when said lawnmower is traveling in said rearward direction; a front barrier linkagehaving first and second ends, said first end being operably attached tosaid front barrier member; a rear barrier linkage having first andsecond ends, said first end being operably attached to said rear barriermember; a barrier synchronizing member operably associated with saidfront and rear barriers such that said front and rear barrier membersmove together as a barrier combination such that when said front barriermember moves from said set to said tripped position, said rear barriermember moves from said set to said tripped position; and said barriersynchronizing member being operably assocated with said drive motor forsaid drive wheel such that movement of said front and rear barriermembers from their said set positions to their said tripped positionscauses said drive wheel to be disabled.
 4. The control apparatus asclaimed in claim 3, wherein said barrier synchronizing member is a linkbeing linked to both said front and rear barrier linkages such thatmovement of said front barrier member causes movement of said firstlinkage member which causes movement of said link which causes movementof said rear barrier member which causes movement of said rear barriermember.
 5. A supplemental overriding control apparatus for use with alawn mower for cutting grass or other vegetation, said lawn mowerincluding an automatic disabling system including a first control havingan engaged and a disengaged position for respectively engaging anddisengaging said operating function, said first control being biasedtowards said disengaged position by a first control bias member, and asecond control for selectively maintaining said first control in saidengaged position against said first control bias member, saidsupplemental overriding control device comprising; a barrier memberbeing movably attached relative to said lawn mower from a set positionto a tripped position, said movement configured to be caused uponcontact between said barrier member and a foreign object external andseparate from said lawn mower while said lawn mower is moving; and alinkage device operably associate with both said barrier member and saidsecond control, said linkage device configured to override said secondcontrol upon movement of said barrier member from said set position tosaid tripped position, such that said second control is overridden andsaid second control releases said first control from said set position,allowing said first control bias member to cause said first control tomove from said engaged position to said disengaged position.
 6. Thesupplemental overriding control apparatus as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid operating function is cutting by a grass cutting blade.
 7. Thesupplemental overriding control apparatus as claimed in claim 5, whereinsaid operating function is movement of said lawn mower by use of a drivewheel.
 8. The supplemental overriding control apparatus as claimed inclaim 5, wherein said front and back linkages are linked together tooperate together.
 9. The supplemental overriding control apparatus asclaimed in claim 8, wherein said linking of said front and back linkagesis provided by use of a bell crank.
 10. A method for controlling a lawnmower, said lawn mower including a wheel drive control for controllingthe operation of a drive wheel of said lawn mower, said lawn mower alsoincluding a cutting blade drive control for controlling the operation ofa cutting blade of said lawn mower, said lawn mower also including anexternal object contacting device which upon contact with an externalobject causes said wheel drive to be disabled, said lawn mower alsoincluding a button for operating a control itself operably associatedwith said wheel drive control, said method comprising the steps of: A)operating said lawn mower such that said external object contactingdevice contacts an external object and causes said wheel drive to bedisabled; B) disengaging said wheel drive control; C) pushing andholding said button; and D) engaging said wheel drive control while saidbutton is held so that said lawn mower may be operated to move to adifferent location such that said external object is not in contact withsaid external object contacting device.
 11. The method for controlling alawn mower as claimed in claim 10, further comprising step “E”, beingthe step of releasing said button, which causes said wheel drive controlto be disabled until reset.
 12. A method for controlling a lawn mower,said lawn mower including a wheel drive control for controlling theoperation of a drive wheel of said lawn mower, said lawn mower alsoincluding a cutting blade drive control for controlling the operation ofa cutting blade of said lawn mower, said lawn mower also including anexternal object contacting device which upon contact with an externalobject causes said wheel drive and said cutting drive to be disabled,said lawn mower also including a button for operating a control itselfoperably associated with said wheel drive control and said cutting bladedrive control, said method comprising the steps of: A) operating saidlawn mower such that said external object contacting device contacts anexternal object and causes said wheel drive and said cutting blade driveto be disabled; B) disengaging said wheel drive control; C) disengagingsaid cutting blade drive control; D) pushing and holding said button;and E) engaging said wheel drive control while said button is held sothat said lawn mower may be operated to move to a different locationsuch that said external object is not in contact with said externalobject contacting device.
 13. The method for controlling a lawn mower asclaimed in claim 12, further comprising step “E”, being the step ofreleasing said button, which causes said wheel drive control to bedisabled until reset.
 14. A method for controlling a lawn mower, saidlawn mower including a wheel drive control for controlling the operationof a drive wheel of said lawn mower, said lawn mower also including acutting blade drive control for controlling the operation of a cuttingblade of said lawn mower, said lawn mower also including an externalobject contacting device which upon contact with an external objectcauses said wheel drive and said cutting drive to be disabled, saidmethod comprising the steps of: A) operating said lawn mower such thatsaid external object contacting device contacts an external object andcauses said wheel drive and said cutting blade drive to be disabled; B)disengaging said wheel drive control; C) disengaging said cutting bladedrive control; D) engaging said wheel drive control while said cuttingblade drive control is disengaged so that said lawn mower may beoperated to move to a different location such that said external objectis not in contact with said external object contacting device; and E)engaging said cutting blade drive control.